Saturday's smoked Ham was a bust. Temperature readings were erratic and the smoker shut down with ErL error codes 4 times before I gave up. It was the first smoke of the year and I pulled the Pit Boss Pro Vertical Smoker out, filled it up, and am ready to throw it out. I've been trying for three years.
What I've found by instrumenting the smoker with K Type Thermocouples is that as the Temperature rises above 350F the readings on the display crap out and state that the probe is disconnected and then the smoker shuts down with a Low Temperature Error Code. I've already replaced the control board and the RTD device. In the past I've been able to get by if I limit the smoke temperature to about 200F and start slowly ie start on Smoke, then go to 150, then 175, then 200. If I started on Smoke and went to 200 it would overshoot and shut down with an ErL error message.
Both the RTD and the external probes supplied exhibit the same behavior where they show disconnected above 350F. So its an issue with the circuit in the controller board.
On Saturday the smoker readings were jumping around 200F, 175F, 250F, etc reading to reading. So it might be a connection issue too. However staring it on smoke, closing the door as soon as we have smoke, and slowly adjusting Temperature up every 15 minutes to 200F should not result in 350F temperature readings. I sat there and watched the readings jump with a high reading of 250F followed by 175F and ErL.
I was never able to run at 400F, 350F, 300F, or even 250F without having the smoker go ErL. To claim that we can bake with this device and advertise 150 to 400F is false.
I have model BPV4PS1 purchased about 2 to 3 years ago. I've had it apart. I've cleaned it with vinegar, I've replaced the controller board, I've replaced the RTD, I've cleaned out the auger after having pellets glue themselves in because I couldn't get to it within a week of using it. Now I completely empty it after each smoke. The smoker is stored in a shed, out of the rain and snow. Pellets are bagged and sealed.
If I ever buy another one, it will have a switch to run the auger to clean it out. It will also have a gate to open the firebox from below to clean it out instead of having to use a vacuum or tip the unit over. And I will wait for reviews stating that it controls temperature properly.
What I've found by instrumenting the smoker with K Type Thermocouples is that as the Temperature rises above 350F the readings on the display crap out and state that the probe is disconnected and then the smoker shuts down with a Low Temperature Error Code. I've already replaced the control board and the RTD device. In the past I've been able to get by if I limit the smoke temperature to about 200F and start slowly ie start on Smoke, then go to 150, then 175, then 200. If I started on Smoke and went to 200 it would overshoot and shut down with an ErL error message.
Both the RTD and the external probes supplied exhibit the same behavior where they show disconnected above 350F. So its an issue with the circuit in the controller board.
On Saturday the smoker readings were jumping around 200F, 175F, 250F, etc reading to reading. So it might be a connection issue too. However staring it on smoke, closing the door as soon as we have smoke, and slowly adjusting Temperature up every 15 minutes to 200F should not result in 350F temperature readings. I sat there and watched the readings jump with a high reading of 250F followed by 175F and ErL.
I was never able to run at 400F, 350F, 300F, or even 250F without having the smoker go ErL. To claim that we can bake with this device and advertise 150 to 400F is false.
I have model BPV4PS1 purchased about 2 to 3 years ago. I've had it apart. I've cleaned it with vinegar, I've replaced the controller board, I've replaced the RTD, I've cleaned out the auger after having pellets glue themselves in because I couldn't get to it within a week of using it. Now I completely empty it after each smoke. The smoker is stored in a shed, out of the rain and snow. Pellets are bagged and sealed.
If I ever buy another one, it will have a switch to run the auger to clean it out. It will also have a gate to open the firebox from below to clean it out instead of having to use a vacuum or tip the unit over. And I will wait for reviews stating that it controls temperature properly.
